Denmark has been ravaged with radical Islam violence over the years. It’s not a surprise that they are now concerned about more Muslims coming to their country. According to The Local, Denmark has said it will not participate in the European Union’s (EU) plans to resettle 160,000 Syrian refugees. Denmark’s Integration Minister Inger Støjberg said that with the nation’s opt-out on EU asylum policies, there is “simply no reason” that Denmark should participate in the EU’s plan to resettle asylum seekers. Denmark received more than 15,000 asylum requests in 2014. In relation to its population size, it was the fifth-biggest recipient in the EU, ahead of Germany.
“We will not take part in the 160,000 asylum seekers that shall be distributed. We won’t do it because we have an opt-out [on EU Justice and Home Affairs, ed.] and because we are already taking in a great deal now,” Støjberg said.
Violence is a major concern
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) has warned that some of the refugees and migrants coming to Denmark could hold extremist views and that the recent influx could spur far-right groups to violence.
“PET is aware that among the refugees from Syria/Iraq could be people who sympathize with militant Islam and could consider acting on the encouragement of militant Islamic propaganda to carry out attacks against counties participating in the international coalition against IS [Islamic State, ed.], including Denmark,” the statement read.
Additionally, PET said that the refugees and migrants themselves could become the target of attacks from groups on the far right.
“In our neighbouring countries, we have seen examples of attacks and threats of violence against refugees, immigrants or institutions connected to them, carried out by people opposed to the current influx of refugees. PET is aware that such a development could also occur among people with politically extreme views in Denmark,” the agency said.
